Ahmedabad plane crash: Tragedy, technical failure or a deep conspiracy

Mukesh Mittal

A routine afternoon flight from Ahmedabad to London turned into a national tragedy when Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration: VT-ANB), crashed just moments after takeoff. The aircraft lost control at an altitude of merely 650 feet and slammed into the hostel building of B.J. Medical College. The catastrophic crash claimed 274 lives —- 241 of the 242 onboard, and 33 on the ground. The sole survivor was British-Indian passenger Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.

Last Words: A “Mayday” That Shook the Nation

The pilot issued a distress call  “Mayday” moments after takeoff. Contact with the control tower was lost almost immediately, and the aircraft nosedived to the ground. This is the first fatal crash involving this model of Dreamliner, raising critical questions and global alarm.

Four key angles under investigation

1. Technical malfunction or engine failure
   Investigators are examining possible failure of the GE-Nx engines, wing flaps, or landing gear. Preliminary speculation suggests the flaps or gear may not have deployed correctly, causing insufficient lift and a rapid descent.
2. Pilot error
   Another theory is human error such as premature flap retraction or incomplete runway roll. A miscalculation in takeoff procedures could have triggered the crash.
3. Maintenance negligence
   The aircraft was 19 years old. Sources indicate multiple remarks in recent maintenance logs. Air India had previously faced criticism over its upkeep of Dreamliner aircraft.
4. Weather or external factors
   While weather was clear, the possibility of a bird strike or miscommunication with Air Traffic Control (ATC) has not been ruled out. However, investigators are primarily focusing on technical and human factors.

Survivor’s testimony offers key clues

“I felt strong vibrations seconds after takeoff. Warning lights flashed, and then everything went blank. When I woke up, I was outside the wreckage,” said Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was seated at 11A.

His account supports the theory of an immediate and severe internal malfunction.

Conspiracy theories emerge amid political turmoil

1. Boeing-Air India deal under scrutiny
   The crash has reignited controversy over Air India’s 2023 mega-deal with Boeing and Airbus for 470 aircraft — including 220 from Boeing, such as 20 Dreamliners and 10 Boeing 777X jets. The deal was announced during a virtual summit between Indian PM Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, highlighting its geopolitical significance.
2. Government oversight failures
   Critics question whether the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India overlooked safety issues for political or financial reasons. Some claim higher authorities may have discouraged grounding aging aircraft.
3. Allegations of maintenance cover-up
   Insiders allege that technical issues were known prior to takeoff but were either ignored or covered up. Were maintenance logs falsified?
4. Political angle: Death of Vijay Rupani
   Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who had recently voiced opposition to key government policies, perished in the crash. Was it purely coincidence or something more sinister?

Government response and ongoing investigations

• Prime Minister Modi and the Home Minister visited the crash site, pledging full support to victims’ families.
• Air India has set up a dedicated relief camp offering psychological and financial assistance.
• DGCA has launched emergency inspections of all Boeing 787 aircraft.
• Investigation teams from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have joined Indian authorities in examining the black boxes.

What lies ahead?

Black Box analysis:
Critical data — cockpit voice recordings, system alerts, and engine diagnostics — will shed light on the real cause: machine failure, human error, or something far more calculated.

Safety Overhaul:
The government is expected to strengthen aviation safety protocols nationwide.

Call for accountability:
Civil society and aviation experts are demanding transparency and strict action against those found negligent or complicit.

The Ahmedabad crash is more than an aviation disaster — it is a mirror reflecting the cracks in global aviation safety, corporate responsibility, and political accountability. The truth must come out, not only to deliver justice but to restore public trust in the skies.